Borini has scored six goals in 28 appearances for Sunderland this season following his loan move from Liverpool after netting just twice in 20 games for Brendan Rodgers' side since his 2012 arrival from Roma.

The Italian has scored in both of Sunderland's derby wins over Newcastle this season, and was also on target against Chelsea and Manchester United in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Capital One Cup respectively.

He continued his cup exploits by opening the scoring for Sunderland in last weekend's 3-1 defeat by Manchester City at Wembley in the final.

"That means I am made for a big team," Borini is quoted in the Daily Mirror regarding his goals in key games this season.

"We will see what will happen until the end of the season, and try to beat the big teams and the small ones, and then let's see in the summer.

"It was a great feeling scoring in the cup final. Two or three times what I normally feel for a goal.

"A great feeling, all emotions, especially against a big team when no one expected us to be in front against Manchester City at Wembley."

ood grief. Someone guessed that the form English player at the moment might be in his national side with some other players? And that's espionage? Now if they discovered that Emile Heskey was going to be in the starting line up.... at right back.... THAT would be espionage. Give it a rest Roy.